Research Focus and Conservation Science at Mondika
Habituation at Mondika involves consistent, non-invasive tracking of gorilla groups over several years.
Trackers follow a specific group daily, increasing exposure gradually until the animals show neutral or relaxed behaviour in the presence of observers. The process typically spans three to five years.
Unlike sites under high tourism pressure, Mondika primarily uses habituation for long-term observation and data collection, with a secondary application in low-impact tourism.
Behavioural Ecology and Social Dynamics
Mondika’s team collects detailed data on gorilla feeding, locomotion, vocalisation, and intra-group interactions.
Researchers log activities at timed intervals using ethological coding. Group compositions are fluid, often led by a single silverback with females and dependent offspring.
Inter-group encounters, dominance shifts, and juvenile dispersal are among the social behaviours most frequently documented.
The site’s longitudinal dataset now spans over two decades, making it one of the richest sources of behavioural records of western gorillas globally.
Ecosystem Monitoring and Forest Health
Beyond gorillas, researchers also track phenological changes, dung deposition rates, fruiting cycles, and nesting patterns of other species.
This supports broader ecosystem monitoring. Samples collected from gorilla dung are tested for pathogens, dietary traces, and genetic material.
Such bioindicators help assess the health of both the gorilla population and the forest ecosystem. The research station collaborates with regional laboratories for molecular analysis.
Conservation Application and Policy Linkage
Scientific data from Mondika support multiple conservation strategies.
Findings inform IUCN best practices, WCS anti-poaching patrol design, and Sangha Trinational forest zoning plans.
The project’s insights on habitat use have influenced buffer zone policies and corridor management.
Gorilla group location data also guides ranger deployment and alerts teams to changes in ranging patterns that may indicate human disturbance. In short, field research translates directly into actionable policy tools.